Operation: Jump Start 

I ( Aleks Menzel, KM42 ) have finally come upon my cause in the South Campos. This summer I witnessed a woman die as I and the local EMT performed chest compressions on her for over 30 minutes.

I am sure she had already passed before I jumped in to help, but it was not up to us to call it and we weren’t about to stop with more than 15 friends and family members of the woman around us.

The EMT was there when I arrived but did not have any medical supplies with her. An oxygen tank was brought soon after I arrived and we immediately started oxygen. The San Felipe paramedics arrived 45 minutes later and pronounced her dead.

We felt helpless.

I can’t help but think that if we had something in town to help. The El Vergel fire department has one, but no one in the area had the keys to get it. We have just fixed that, as now all the firefighters have keys to the building - but what if we had one closer and didn’t have to wait for a key?

My cause is to raise money to purchase AEDs (defibrillators). I would like to purchase as many as I can and place them in accessible, but safe areas around the South Campos.

Donate today as you may need this tomorrow.

What is an AED:

AED: An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal . Ventricular fibrillation is the uncoordinated heart rhythm most often responsible for sudden cardiac arrest. When appropriate, it delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.

Cost:
The average AED today ranges in price from around $1200 USD to the high end of about $3000 USD, for professional AED versions. Refurbished AEDs start at $ 600 USD.